Iowa City was the first capital of the state of Iowa, before the capital was moved westward to [[Des Moines]]. Considered a college town, many jobs are associated with the university and its teaching hospital. Other large employers include educational service companies ACT and Pearson. It is widely recognized as one of the most educated cities in the United States.

Iowa City was the first capital of the state of Iowa, before the capital was moved westward to [[Des Moines]]. Considered a college town, many jobs are associated with the university and its teaching hospital. Other large employers include educational service companies ACT and Pearson. It is widely recognized as one of the most educated cities in the United States.

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Iowa City has a population of about 62,000 (2006). The university has an enrollment of approximately 30,000 students. As such, the university has a strong impact on the culture of Iowa City and impacts the community from a variety of sources, including the hospital and various university teams and programs.

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Iowa City has a population of about 68,000 (2010). The university has an enrollment of approximately 30,000 students. As such, the university has a strong impact on the culture of Iowa City and impacts the community from a variety of sources, including the hospital and various university teams and programs.

Also influential in the community is the university's Writer's Workshop, which caused Iowa City to be named the third UNESCO City of Literature, so far the only such city in North America.

Also influential in the community is the university's Writer's Workshop, which caused Iowa City to be named the third UNESCO City of Literature, so far the only such city in North America.

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==Get in==

==Get in==

===By car===

===By car===

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Iowa City can be reached by '''I-80''' from [[Chicago]] to the east and [[Des Moines]] to the west. '''I-380''', brings in traffic from the north near [[Waterloo (Iowa)|Waterloo]]. Especially in the fall and winter, expect traffic delays from university games as there are very few main roads or entrances/exits to I-80.

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Iowa City can be reached by '''I-80''' from [[Chicago]] to the east and [[Des Moines]] to the west. '''I-380''', brings in traffic from the north near [[Cedar Rapids]] and [[Waterloo (Iowa)|Waterloo]]. Especially in the fall and winter, expect traffic delays from university games as there are very few main roads or entrances/exits to I-80.

===By plane===

===By plane===

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The nearest commercial airport (CID), the Eastern Iowa Airport [http://www.crairport.org], is in [[Cedar Rapids]], about 20 miles to the north on '''I-380'''. A taxi to Iowa City may cost $40; a shuttle $25. Sometimes lower-cost flights are available into [[Moline]] (MLI) or Des Moines (DSM).

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The nearest commercial airport, the '''Eastern Iowa Airport''' ({{IATA|CID}}) [http://www.crairport.org], is in [[Cedar Rapids]], about 20 miles to the north on '''I-380'''. A taxi to Iowa City may cost $40; a shuttle $25. Sometimes lower-cost flights are available into [[Moline]] ({{IATA|MLI}}) or Des Moines ({{IATA|DSM}}).

===By bus===

===By bus===

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* <listing name="Megabus" alt="" directions="" address="" phone="" email="" fax="" url="http://www.megabus.com" hours="" price="Fares from $1 and up">Service to Iowa City from Chicago and Des Moines. The bus stop is located on the east side of S Dubuque Street just north of E Court Street.</listing>

* Burlington Trailways offers bus service to a variety of cities, mostly ones along Interstate 80.

==Get around==

==Get around==

===By bus===

===By bus===

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Walking is the easiest way to get around downtown Iowa City; the university is right in the middle of downtown. For greater distances, there is an extensive bus system ($0.75/ride). The university's Cambus system covers most of the campus buildings and is free and open to the public.

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Walking is the easiest way to get around downtown Iowa City; the university is right in the middle of downtown. For greater distances, there is an extensive bus system ($1/ride). The university's Cambus system covers most of the campus buildings and is free and open to the public.

* <see name="University of Iowa Museum of Art" alt="" address="150 N Riverside Dr" directions="" phone="+1 319 335-1727" url="http://www.uiowa.edu/uima" hours="" price="Free" lat="" long="" closed="closed"> Some European paintings, large collection of African art, changing exhibitions. Gift shop, coffee bar. Closed since the 2008 flood, and likely to be rebuilt in a different location; the museum has a temporary exhibition space in the Iowa Memorial Union.</see>

* <see name="University of Iowa Museum of Natural History" alt="" address="" directions="inside MacBride Hall at the corner of Jefferson and Clinton Sts" phone="+1 319-335-0480" url="http://www.uiowa.edu/~nathist/" hours="Tu-F 10AM-?, Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 1PM-5PM" price="Free" lat="" long="">Displays of Iowa's geology and ecology, as well as Native American culture. Features a reconstruction of a giant Ice Age sloth and a large collection of birds. Gift shop.</see>

* <see name="University of Iowa Museum of Natural History" alt="" address="" directions="inside MacBride Hall at the corner of Jefferson and Clinton Sts" phone="+1 319-335-0480" url="http://www.uiowa.edu/~nathist/" hours="Tu-F 10AM-?, Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 1PM-5PM" price="Free" lat="" long="">Displays of Iowa's geology and ecology, as well as Native American culture. Features a reconstruction of a giant Ice Age sloth and a large collection of birds. Gift shop.</see>

*<do name="The Englert Theatre" alt="" address="221 E. Washington St" directions="" phone="+1 319 688-2653" url="http://englert.org/" hours="" price="" lat="" long="">A historic theatre, first opened in 1912, now operates as a stage for plays, comedy and music performances, and community events. Also home to a small gallery showcasing local artwork.</do>

*<do name="The Englert Theatre" alt="" address="221 E. Washington St" directions="" phone="+1 319 688-2653" url="http://englert.org/" hours="" price="" lat="" long="">A historic theatre, first opened in 1912, now operates as a stage for plays, comedy and music performances, and community events. Also home to a small gallery showcasing local artwork.</do>

* <drink name="The Airliner" address="22 S Clinton St" phone="+1 319 351-9259" price=""> A staple bar for decades. It's known for incredible pizza ($1.50/slice on Sundays) and cheap drinks. Visited by Tom Brokaw in May 2008 when his favorite booth as a student was dedicated to him with a plaque.</drink>

* <drink name="The Airliner" address="22 S Clinton St" phone="+1 319 351-9259" price=""> A staple bar for decades. It's known for incredible pizza ($1.50/slice on Sundays) and cheap drinks. Visited by Tom Brokaw in May 2008 when his favorite booth as a student was dedicated to him with a plaque.</drink>

* <drink name="Blue Moose Tap House" alt="formerly The Q and The Industry" address="211 Iowa Ave" directions="" phone="+1 319 358-9206" url="http://bluemooseic.com" hours="4PM-2AM daily" price="" lat="" long="">Good place to play pool and get cheap beer. Draws a fairly diverse crowd and has great music with frequent shows upstairs.</drink>

* <drink name="Blue Moose Tap House" alt="formerly The Q and The Industry" address="211 Iowa Ave" directions="" phone="+1 319 358-9206" url="http://bluemooseic.com" hours="4PM-2AM daily" price="" lat="" long="">Good place to play pool and get cheap beer. Draws a fairly diverse crowd and has great music with frequent shows upstairs.</drink>

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===Writers' haunts===

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* <drink name="George's Buffet" alt="everyone just calls it George's" address="312 E Market St" directions="" phone="(319) 351-9614" ‎ url="" hours="" price="" lat="" long="">A dark dive bar, not a buffet. However, they do make the best burgers in Iowa City. Filled with locals and students from the Writers' Workshop. If you go in the afternoon, you'll probably spot more than one aspiring writer filling up a notebook.</drink>

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* <drink name="Dave's Fox Head Tavern" alt="everyone just calls it The Fox Head" address="402 E Market St" directions="" phone="(319)351-9824" ‎ url="" hours="" price="" lat="" long="">One block away from George's. Often considered the "fiction bar," to George's supposed allegiance within the poetry division. Inreality, students from each of the disciplines frequent both locations. Divey, with a popular pool table, a jukebox, and a taxidermied fox behind the bar.</drink>

Understand

Iowa City was the first capital of the state of Iowa, before the capital was moved westward to Des Moines. Considered a college town, many jobs are associated with the university and its teaching hospital. Other large employers include educational service companies ACT and Pearson. It is widely recognized as one of the most educated cities in the United States.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Iowa City has a population of about 68,000 (2010). The university has an enrollment of approximately 30,000 students. As such, the university has a strong impact on the culture of Iowa City and impacts the community from a variety of sources, including the hospital and various university teams and programs.

Also influential in the community is the university's Writer's Workshop, which caused Iowa City to be named the third UNESCO City of Literature, so far the only such city in North America.

Coralville is an adjacent community located to the west of Iowa City, and its largest suburb, with a population of over 18,000.

Tourist information

Get in

By car

Iowa City can be reached by I-80 from Chicago to the east and Des Moines to the west. I-380, brings in traffic from the north near Cedar Rapids and Waterloo. Especially in the fall and winter, expect traffic delays from university games as there are very few main roads or entrances/exits to I-80.

By plane

The nearest commercial airport, the Eastern Iowa Airport (IATA: CID) [2], is in Cedar Rapids, about 20 miles to the north on I-380. A taxi to Iowa City may cost $40; a shuttle $25. Sometimes lower-cost flights are available into Moline (IATA: MLI) or Des Moines (IATA: DSM).

By bus

Burlington Trailways offers bus service to a variety of cities, mostly ones along Interstate 80.

Get around

By bus

Walking is the easiest way to get around downtown Iowa City; the university is right in the middle of downtown. For greater distances, there is an extensive bus system ($1/ride). The university's Cambus system covers most of the campus buildings and is free and open to the public.

University of Iowa Museum of Art, 150 N Riverside Dr, ☎+1 319 335-1727, [4]. Some European paintings, large collection of African art, changing exhibitions. Gift shop, coffee bar. Closed since the 2008 flood, and likely to be rebuilt in a different location; the museum has a temporary exhibition space in the Iowa Memorial Union.Free.

University of Iowa Museum of Natural History, (inside MacBride Hall at the corner of Jefferson and Clinton Sts), ☎+1 319-335-0480, [5]. Tu-F 10AM-?, Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 1PM-5PM. Displays of Iowa's geology and ecology, as well as Native American culture. Features a reconstruction of a giant Ice Age sloth and a large collection of birds. Gift shop.Free.

Do

Parks

Only minutes to the north, Lake MacBride and Coralville Lake offer beaches, camping, hiking, and boating.

Twenty minutes west of Iowa City on Highway 6 lies F.W. Kent State Park, another popular camping destination with a small lake and beach.

Theater

The Englert Theatre, 221 E. Washington St, ☎+1 319 688-2653, [8]. A historic theatre, first opened in 1912, now operates as a stage for plays, comedy and music performances, and community events. Also home to a small gallery showcasing local artwork.

Riverside Theatre, 213 N. Gilbert St, ☎+1 319 338-7672, [9]. Iowa City's resident professional theatre presents both classic and contemporary theatre. Most popular are Shakespeare plays, which are performed each summer at City Park's Shakespeare Theater.

Music

Gabe's Oasis (formerly The Picador), 330 E Washington St, ☎+1 319 354-4788, [11]. Iowa City's most popular music venue offers performances by local, regional, and national bands and musicians. Some all ages shows but mostly 19+.

The Mill Restaurant, 120 E Burlington St, ☎+1 319 351-9529, [12]. Both a restaurant and a venue for live music, The Mill is home to performances by local and regional musicians. Every Monday is open mic night. Almost all shows 19+.

Blue Moose Tap House (formerly The Q and The Industry), 211 Iowa Ave. Bar and live music venue, with local and national music acts. Most shows 19+.

Events and Festivals

Iowa City Jazz Festival, downtown Iowa City, [13]. First weekend in July. Live jazz groups, both local and from around the world play on stages set up around downtown Iowa City.Free.

Iowa Arts Festival, downtown Iowa City, [14]. First weekend in June. Popular three-day community celebration of local and regional artists, including open admission to downtown's art galleries, live music, local food vendors, and other activities. Free.

Saturday Night Free Movie Series, On the wall at the Pentacrest on the corner of Jefferson and Clinton Sts, [16]. mid May-early Sep on Sa 7:30PM-end. Free.

Sand in the City, Iowa Ave. & Linn St., [17]. Weekend in late August. A new sand sculpture competition in which teams work with professional sand sculptors and architects to create large sand sculptures. Live music and activities for children.Free.

Mission Creek Festival, downtown Iowa City, [18]. Weekend in April. Nationally-known acts, indie bands, and local musicians perform at various venues downtown. Literary readings by authors at local bookstores and coffee shops.$115 for All Access pass, $60 for limited passes.

Landlocked Film Festival, downtown Iowa City, [19]. last weekend in August. An independent film festival with film screenings, panels, and filmmaking workshops taking place at three downtown venues.free.

Masala, 9 S Dubuque St, ☎+1 319 338-6199. Open daily 11:15AM-2:30PM, 5PM-9:30PM. East Indian vegetarian food. This place is leagues above the other Indian restaurant in town, despite their fully vegetarian menu.

Drink

Because of the university, downtown is very busy on weekend nights. With thousands of college-aged people (and older folks staying around for home games) drinking within a few blocks of each other, use caution when walking to or visiting establishments. There is a bar for all types. State law requires alcohol purchases to be made before 2AM.

Student crowd (21+)

Brothers Bar and Grill, 125 S Dubuque St, ☎+1 319 338-6373. Due to the large cover for those yet to turn 21 years of age, it caters to an older crowd. There's a dance floor and it's pretty upbeat.

Student crowd (19+)

Relaxed crowd

The Airliner, 22 S Clinton St, ☎+1 319 351-9259. A staple bar for decades. It's known for incredible pizza ($1.50/slice on Sundays) and cheap drinks. Visited by Tom Brokaw in May 2008 when his favorite booth as a student was dedicated to him with a plaque.

Blue Moose Tap House (formerly The Q and The Industry), 211 Iowa Ave, ☎+1 319 358-9206, [34]. 4PM-2AM daily. Good place to play pool and get cheap beer. Draws a fairly diverse crowd and has great music with frequent shows upstairs.

Writers' haunts

George's Buffet (everyone just calls it George's), 312 E Market St, ☎(319) 351-9614. A dark dive bar, not a buffet. However, they do make the best burgers in Iowa City. Filled with locals and students from the Writers' Workshop. If you go in the afternoon, you'll probably spot more than one aspiring writer filling up a notebook.

Dave's Fox Head Tavern (everyone just calls it The Fox Head), 402 E Market St, ☎(319)351-9824. One block away from George's. Often considered the "fiction bar," to George's supposed allegiance within the poetry division. Inreality, students from each of the disciplines frequent both locations. Divey, with a popular pool table, a jukebox, and a taxidermied fox behind the bar.

Sports bars

Sports Column, 12 S. Dubuque St.. Variety of cheap drinks. Great place to watch football and basketball games. It gets pretty chaotic on the weekends.

Stay Healthy

University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics Has Level 1 Trauma Center as well as urgent care at the Emergency Treatment Center. The Emergency entrance is located right off Grand Ave. +1 319 356-2233. Non Emergency and Urgent Care, contact the University of Iowa Family Care Center at +1 319 384-8442.

Cope

Newspapers

Get out

Cedar Rapids is Iowa's second largest city and home to the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, Orchestra Iowa and a variety of cultural and entertainment options. 30 minutes north via I-380.

The seven historic villages of the Amana Colonies are 25 miles west on Highway 6.

Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, 210 Parkside Dr., West Branch (I-80 east to exit 254, north on Parkside), ☎+ 1 319 643-5301, [41]. 9-5. Located 15 minutes east of Iowa City. Exhibits about the life of former President Herbert Hoover and temporary exhibits about American history and culture. Tours of Hoover's birthsite cottage, a blacksmith shop, a Quaker meeting house, and the Hoovers' gravesite. Gift shop.$6 ages 16-61, $3 ages 62+, free under 16.

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